Knowledge is power.
This month our nation celebrates the civil and human rights afforded many of us. Children with type 1 diabetes have a legal right to receive appropriate care at school. Yet, we are also reminded of those whose rights are not yet intact. And there are those who don’t even realize their rights are being violated. Much of the discrimination experienced by families is the direct result of people who lack knowledge about type 1 diabetes, relevant federal and state laws and policies, and how to apply those to the needs of children with type 1 diabetes.
In August 2013, the California Supreme Court ruling affirmed that existing law does permit non-licensed school personnel to be trained to administer insulin when no nurse is available. As the implementation process unfolds to make this ruling the new norm, success stories are emerging in some school districts throughout California. And, there is still more work to be done.
Be a voice for children with diabetes. Our children are counting on each of us to be an advocate on their behalf. Every child with type 1 diabetes is strongly urged to have a 504 Plan and Diabetes Medical Management Plan in place. All school staff who have a direct responsibility for your child need to have a basic understanding about type 1 diabetes, know whom to contact in an emergency, and be held accountable to appropriately deliver your child’s care and accommodations at all times. A smaller group of school personnel should receive training in all aspects of diabetes care, including administration of insulin, and at least one of those individuals should be on campus at all times.
Learn. Take action. Teach others. As a type 1 diabetes parent and an advocate on behalf of our children for more than 15 years, I hear on a daily basis from many of you whose children are not receiving appropriate care at school. Your stories are potent reminders that we need to learn more about laws by ordering a Breakthrough T1D School Advisory Toolkit and also learn about school district policies… better educate our schools about type 1 diabetes…and then learn how to invoke and preserve the legal protections that have been courageously fought for by diabetes families, DREDF and its partner, the American Diabetes Association. All of us can be champions to preserve and protect the rights of children with diabetes.
Join me and learn more. Come to CarbDM’s presentation “Taking Diabetes to School: The Law…Legal Rights…And Your Child” on Tuesday, January 21, 7-9pm at the San Ramon Community Center.
Your kids are my kids; your stories deeply touch my heart. My daughter Cara is now a thriving young adult. But when she was in school, and before I knew about the laws that protect our kids, our family also came to know the face of discrimination. That changed. Knowledge gave us power.
Let us remember the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. who eloquently said, “The day our lives begin to end is the day we remain silent about things that matter.”
Give a voice to children with diabetes. It matters.
The opinions and ideas expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Breakthrough T1D.
